Meeting with Senator Menendez
(Paterson, NJ: January 14, 2006)
Leaders from the New Jersey Arab and
Muslim American community
participated in an important meeting
with Senator Robert Menendez
(D-NJ). The two-hour meeting with
Senator Menendez on Saturday,
January 14, 2006, was an
introductionary session where we had
discussions related to issues of
critical importance to the
community.
The
meeting was held at the residence of
Dr. Aref Assaf, President of
American Arab Forum, and was
attended by religious leaders,
community activists, elected and
appointed officials and community
leaders from the Democratic Party.
The following issues were addressed
and specific proposals were
presented: Civil Rights and Social
Justice, Political Involvement and
Empowerment, creation of Arab &
Muslim Heritage Commission and the
issue of Palestine. To view the
meeting agenda, please go to
http://www.americanarabforum.org/menendez-agenda.htm
Senator
Menendez acknowledged the growing
presence and impact of the community
and addressed the different issues,
which were raised by the community
representatives. He made a
commitment to establish a continuing
dialogue with the community on all
issues. He expressed his strong
commitment to civil rights of all
Americans and assured the gathering
that he will closely examine any
legislation, including the
reauthorization of the expiring
segments of the USA Patriot Act that
violate basic civil rights, and to
ensure that sufficient measures are
introduced that do not infringe on
the civil liberties of all
Americans. The Senator also welcomed
and accepted our offer to provide
assistance in the formulation of
positions and policies related to
civil rights and other issues of
concern to the community.
The
Senator promised to reach out to our
community as he begins his job. We
thank the Senator for his efforts
and very much look forward to
building a strong and enduring
relationship with him. Thanks to
all the community leaders who
attended the event. And special
thanks to Dr. Aref Assaf for hosting
the event and Salaheddin Mustafa for
organizing and coordinating this
important meeting. We also express
our thanks to our elected officials
– Paterson Councilman Aslon Goow and
Prospect Park Mayor Mohamed
Khairullah. We also thank The Very
Reverend Elias Bitar from St. George
Antiochian Orthodox Church and Dr.
Mohamed Qatanani, Imam of the
Islamic Center of Passaic County for
their invocations and guidance.
The autumn/winter edition of
Banipal Magazine is dedicated to the
memory of Palestinian poet Mahmoud
Darwish.
Click here for more... 
